Synonyms of agitate

agitate

verb

ˈa-jə-ˌtāt 

1

as in to stir

to cause (as a liquid) to move about in a circle especially repeatedly

this room could use a ceiling fan to agitate the stuffy air a bit

Synonyms & Similar Words

• stir
• wash
• swirl
• shake
• whisk
• churn
• whip
• whirl
• beat
• wheel
• paddle
• reel

2

as in to disturb

to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy

there's no need to agitate the patient about little things

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disturb
• bother
• distract
• worry
• alarm
• concern
• unsettle
• anger
• annoy
• upset
• distress
• irritate
• perturb
• haunt
• derail
• confuse
• discomfort
• discompose
• unhinge
• plague
• disquiet
• dismay
• ail
• undo
• rattle
• exercise
• embarrass
• aggravate
• fuss
• exasperate
• flurry
• distemper
• harass
• rile
• freak (out)
• discourage
• vex
• irk
• frazzle
• pester
• weird out
• bug
• chafe
• bedevil
• hagride
• pique
• put off
• fluster
• grate
• put out
• disconcert
• fret
• discomfit
• mortify
• confound
• discountenance
• gall
• get
• harry
• nettle
• demoralize
• chivy
• dispirit
• unnerve
• dishearten
• shake up
• faze
• abash
• peeve
• jar
• daunt
• nonplus

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• settle
• soothe
• compose
• calm
• quiet
• alleviate
• allay
• assuage
• tranquilize
• pacify
• appease
• placate
• mollify
• conciliate
• propitiate

3

as in to shake

to make a series of small irregular or violent movements

set the washing machine so it will agitate for four minutes before going into the rinse cycle

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shake
• vibrate
• jerk
• shudder
• tremble
• quiver
• convulse
• shiver
• sway
• jiggle
• bucket
• twitch
• wobble
• jolt
• quake
• swing
• joggle
• judder
• jounce
• flicker
• throb
• wave
• rock
• chatter
• flutter
• oscillate
• thrill
• pulsate
• waver
• fluctuate
• undulate
• palpitate
• pulse
• quaver
• beat
• dodder
• pit-a-pat
• pitter-patter

4

as in to discuss

to talk about (an issue) usually from various points of view and for the purpose of arriving at a decision or opinion

a question which has been agitated by the legislature time and time again

Synonyms & Similar Words

• discuss
• debate
• argue
• dispute
• canvass
• talk over
• raise
• review
• moot
• bandy
• bat (around or back and forth)
• introduce
• consider
• propound
• talk (about)
• stir up
• hash (over or out)
• speak (about)
• weigh
• broach
• deliberate
• forge
• hammer out
• thrash (out)
• wrestle (with)
• talk out
• chew over

Synonym Chooser

How is the word agitate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of agitate are convulse, rock, and shake. While all these words mean "to move up and down or to and fro with some violence," agitate suggests a violent and prolonged tossing or stirring.

an ocean agitated by storms

When is it sensible to use convulse instead of agitate?

The words convulse and agitate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, convulse suggests a violent pulling or wrenching as of a body in a paroxysm.

spectators were convulsed with laughter

Where would rock be a reasonable alternative to agitate?

Although the words rock and agitate have much in common, rock suggests a swinging or swaying motion resulting from violent impact or upheaval.

the whole city was rocked by the explosion

When can shake be used instead of agitate?

The meanings of shake and agitate largely overlap; however, shake often carries a further implication of a particular purpose.

shake well before using

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of agitate

Similar to how cosmic impacts can agitate and heat lunar regolith to liberate trapped particles from the solar wind, machines can do much the same. —Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 14 May 2026

At this point, those agitating against the merger might see their most realistic option being to lobby for conditions on the merger, such as job-protection guarantees or production minimums. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 8 May 2026

As the woman continued walking down a store aisle, the suspect appeared to linger near the entrance and began arguing with her, visibly agitated. —Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 7 May 2026

Trump has agitated for changes at CNN, one of Warner’s most prominent properties. —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026